Is Shadow of Mordor Canon? A Deep Dive into Tolkien Lore and Gaming
The short answer is a resounding no, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor and its sequel, Shadow of War, are not considered canon within J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium. While the games are set within the established timeline between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, they introduce original storylines, characters, and interpretations of existing lore that diverge significantly from Tolkien’s writings. Think of them as well-crafted fan fiction operating within the rich universe Tolkien created, but ultimately telling their own, separate story.
Canon, Fan Fiction, and the Appeal of Middle-earth
Understanding the distinction between canon and fan fiction is crucial here. Canon refers to the officially recognized and authoritative material that makes up a fictional universe. In Tolkien’s case, this primarily includes The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and The History of Middle-earth series. These works, written and meticulously crafted by Tolkien himself, establish the foundational history, characters, and rules of his world.
Fan fiction, on the other hand, is creative work based on existing fictional material, created by fans. While often respectful and engaging, fan fiction is not considered authoritative and may deviate significantly from the original source material. Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War fall into this category. They capture the essence of Middle-earth – its themes of good versus evil, the struggle against darkness, and the importance of hope – but they tell a new story with their own unique twists.
The appeal of Shadow of Mordor lies precisely in its ability to offer a fresh perspective on Middle-earth. It allows players to explore previously untouched corners of the world, encounter new characters, and witness events that expand upon Tolkien’s original narrative, even if those events aren’t strictly “true” within the established canon. The Nemesis System, a core mechanic of the game, creates dynamically generated Orc captains with unique personalities and rivalries, adding a layer of player-driven storytelling that’s simply not found in Tolkien’s books.
The Problem with Canon
Canon is, of course, important when establishing consistent rules within an IP but should people care whether these games are canon or not? It depends. If you are a die-hard Tolkien fan, then the answer may be yes. In that case, stick to the books. But if you are a new fan, the games are a great medium to explore this fantasy world!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Shadow of Mordor and Canon
Here’s a compilation of frequently asked questions to further clarify the canonicity of Shadow of Mordor and its related aspects:
1. Does Shadow of Mordor follow the lore?
The games draw heavily from Tolkien’s lore, incorporating established locations like Mordor and characters like Gollum. However, they also introduce new elements and interpretations that are not supported by Tolkien’s writings. It’s a blend of faithfulness and creative license.
2. Are Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War connected?
Yes, ** Shadow of War is a direct sequel to Shadow of Mordor**, continuing the story of Talion and Celebrimbor’s fight against Sauron.
3. Is Talion canonically a Nazgûl?
In Shadow of War, Talion eventually becomes a Nazgûl, replacing Isildur. This is a major departure from Tolkien’s canon. In the original lore, Isildur was corrupted by the One Ring and eventually killed, but not turned into a Ringwraith by Sauron.
4. Is Shadow of Mordor before or after LotR?
Shadow of Mordor takes place during the 60-year gap between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, specifically focusing on Sauron’s re-emergence and the events leading up to the War of the Ring.
5. Does Shadow of War fit into the lore?
Shadow of War is intricately tied into Tolkien’s Legendarium, using its locations, characters, and themes. However, its narrative, particularly regarding the forging of a new Ring of Power and the overthrow of Sauron, significantly deviates from established canon.
6. Is Gandalf in Shadow of War?
Gandalf makes an appearance in Shadow of War Mobile, which is a separate mobile game. He does not feature in the main Shadow of War console or PC game.
7. Is Isildur a Nazgûl in canon?
No, Isildur is not a Nazgûl in Tolkien’s canon. He was killed by Orcs after taking the One Ring from Sauron. The games introduce the concept of Isildur becoming a Nazgûl through a different set of circumstances.
8. What do the orcs call Talion?
Orcs and Orc Captains often refer to Talion as “the Tark,” which is an Orcish term for human or “man”.
9. Are Celebrimbor and Talion canon?
Talion and the specific version of Celebrimbor presented in the games are non-canonical. While Celebrimbor is a real character in Tolkien’s lore, his actions and motivations in the games differ considerably from his portrayal in The Silmarillion and other writings.
10. Was Celebrimbor evil?
The games present a more ambiguous portrayal of Celebrimbor, suggesting that he was not simply a pawn of Sauron but had his own ambition to dominate Middle-earth. This is a significant departure from Tolkien’s canon, where Celebrimbor was deceived.
11. Is it OK to play Shadow of War before Shadow of Mordor?
While the story of Shadow of War is designed to be accessible to new players, it is highly recommended to play Shadow of Mordor first to fully understand the characters, plot, and gameplay mechanics.
12. Why isn’t Shadow of War canon?
Tolkien did not write about the specific events and characters depicted in Shadow of War. The game’s narrative introduces new elements and interpretations that contradict or expand upon established lore in ways that Tolkien did not authorize.
13. Is Talion related to Boromir?
The character of Talion is inspired by characters like Boromir, reflecting the heroic ranger archetype common in Tolkien’s works. However, there is no direct canonical relationship between them.
14. How did Sauron trick Celebrimbor?
In Tolkien’s lore, Sauron, disguised as Annatar, deceived Celebrimbor and the smiths of Eregion into forging the Rings of Power. He then secretly forged the One Ring to control all the others.
15. Can Talion beat Sauron?
In the game, Talion is able to temporarily defeat Sauron. However, he cannot destroy him permanently. This reflects the overall theme of Middle-earth, where evil can be challenged but never truly eradicated.
The Value of Non-Canon Interpretations
While Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War are not canon, they offer a valuable opportunity to engage with Tolkien’s world in a new and interactive way. They allow players to explore the darker corners of Middle-earth, experience the struggles of characters caught in the conflict between good and evil, and even learn about narrative structures. Researchers are studying how video games can become a new frontier for learning, and the Games Learning Society ( https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ ) is a prominent organization in this field. The Games Learning Society has a long track record of providing useful information when it comes to learning and engagement with this medium.
It’s important to remember that these games are interpretations, not replacements, of Tolkien’s original works. They should be enjoyed as imaginative expansions of the Middle-earth universe, rather than strict adherence to the established canon. Just as adaptations like Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films took liberties with the source material, Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War offer their own unique vision of Middle-earth, inviting players to participate in a new chapter of its ongoing story.
Ultimately, whether or not you consider Shadow of Mordor to be a worthwhile addition to the Middle-earth tapestry is a matter of personal preference. As long as you approach it with an understanding of its non-canonical status, it can be an exciting and engaging way to revisit the world of Tolkien.